Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-02
The Decorations and Callers.
TRy Associated Press

WASHINGTON, January IA disagreeable
day ushered In the new year. A cold driz
cling rain was falling, the sky was DARK. and
the streets deep with slush. NotHitnstaud.
ing the unfavorable weather the day WAS
generally observed by the suspension OF
business and social calling. Before noon
the rsin ceased and the day Frightened
somewhat. Al the White House all OF the
preparations for the public reception were
completed last night. There was ne special
effort TO secure decorative effects. The
railways and the East room were In their
usual New. ! care attire, with garlands and
f(st0ons OF smilax suspen ded from the crys.
ial chandeliers and gllded and sllyered
wicker pots and tropical plants filing every
niche and covering The msntel3. The Blue
parlor, where the reception took place. was
lavlshly decorated with great banks OF cut
iiOweIs and noddif palms. Tho light from
numerous gas Jets mellowed the daylight
hat found its way through the partly.
drawn curtains. The Marine Band was sta
tionfd In the main hall and dlscourssd
strains OF popular music during the cere-
monies On either side ofthe entrance to the
Mansion stood file OF police 10 dress uni
form. A few minutes after III O'Clock the
Marine rand began Hall to the Cnief,'
and the presidential party came through
the central hall and passed through tne
Blue parlor. President Cleveland led the
party, with Mrs. Manning on his arm. He
was In full dress, and walked without per-
ceptible hlDdrance, although his gait was
slow. The President looked unoomnonly
well, considering his recent illness, aud
though there were q few lines OF suffering
apparent on bis face his color was good. and
he seemed to be 10 good spirits. Following
The President came Secretary Bayard and
Mrs. Cleveland, Secretary Manning and
Mrs. hndicott, Secretary Endlcott and
Mrs Villas. p, stmaster- General Villas aud
secretary Whitney, and Colonel Lamont
and Lieutenant Duvall, OF the navy. PRE-
sident Cleveland took position next to the
~ hn Inn E1t
Cleveland at his left and Mrs. Man
ming, MTs. Kndico,t, and Mrs. Villas
just beyond. The reception Immediately
began with the presentation BY AS
sislant-secreisry Adee and Gnief SosGi
which was headed by Mr. Preston, the
Hsy tien Minister. The President stood
without support and greeted every person
in the line with q smile and cordial snake
Of the hand. Passing on the guests were
received by Mrs. Cleveland with graceful
yet dignihed welcome, and extended her
hand 10 the ladies Of the Cabinet; ais) mad
u smile and bow In answer 10 every greet
Ing. Afterthe members or the DiploIne tlo
Corps had exchanged the felicitations OF
the season with the President and the "a.
dies assisting In the reception, many or
them passed around in the rear OF tne line
and chatted for few minutes with mem
beTs ofthe Cabinet and other officials VINO
stood In the south end OF the Blue parlor.
The Justices Of the Supreme Court
ne1t paid their respects 10 the President.
Justice Woods was the only absentee. Next
In order came the members or ths Court OF
Claims, the local jud ciary, District officers,
ex-Ministers. Senators, aud Representa-
tiyeB AT noon the band struck up mar
tial air and the officers OF the navy, num-
bering over one hundred, under Rear-Ad.
miral Wells entered the Mansion and paid
iheir respects 10 the President and party.
They " ere followed by ahout 1875 army off,
GERS headed by lieutenant General Sherl-
dan and ex-Jndge. Advocate. General Holt.
At hall. past IL the Department officers and
Bureau chiefs we're received. Following
came the veterans OF the wars OF 1912 and
1886, and the oldest Inhabitants Assoca-
ton OF the District OF columbia. At L
O'Clock the gates we're thrown open to the
oana, a nublic